What Style of Yoga is Best for you?

The benefits of practicing yoga are well known, including increased strength and flexibility, improved balance and posture, and relief of many physical symptoms. For centuries, yoga has also helped practitioners reduce stress and anxiety, become more mindful and aware, increase immunity and resistance to illness, and bring more joy and contentment into their lives.

Ready to begin? Not sure where to start?

There are many kinds of yoga, each with its own areas of focus.

Read below for more information on the many approaches to yoga offered through Edina Community Education. No matter where you are on your journey, we offer a class to meet your needs and an instructor to help you meet your goals.

Chair Yoga

Chair yoga is a therapeutic, adaptive, gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair, or standing using a chair for support. Participants do not get down on the ground for mat work. Chair Yoga promotes well being through correct posture, breath work, and guided gentle movements.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha is an general term that refers to any type of yoga that teaches physical postures. Nearly every type of yoga class taught in the West is Hatha yoga. When classes like ours are called "Hatha Yoga," it generally means slower-paced and more relaxed than many styles, while still challenging and very effective. Expect to move through warm-ups, classic postures and relaxation techniques with a focus on the breath.

Kripalu Yoga

The word "Kripalu" means "compassion." In Kripalu classes, students are encouraged to listen to their own bodies as they are guided through a series of postures, breathwork and meditation. Kripalu yoga uses smooth transitions between postures; it is an inquiry-based practice that emphasizes mindfulness both on and off the mat.

Viniyoga

Viniyoga emphasizes a very personal approach to yoga practice. It is a holistic, therapeutic approach designed to improve each student's health and well-being. Viniyoga emphasizes function over form, adapting postures to achieve desired results for each individual.

Yoga Nidra

The goal of yoga nidra is to achieve a state of consciousness halfway between waking and sleeping, bringing your mind and body into a deep state of peace and calm. One hour of Yoga Nidra has the equivalent effect of three hours of sleep. After beginning with some very gentle movements to free the joints and calm the body, you will remain still while the instructor's voice guides you through a series of relaxation and visualization exercises. Absolutely no prior experience with yoga or meditation is necessary.